Encased hinge

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the invention comprises a composite hinge structure, including a piano type hinge and a flexible sealing membrane on opposite sides of the hinge. Another aspect of the invention comprises two strips of flexible sealing membranes. A plurality of leaf type hinges are spaced along and between the strips. The leaves of the hinges are fixed in sealing relationship with the strips.

United States Patent Rana [4 1 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] ENCASED HINGE [72]Inventor: Sudhlr N. Rana, ll6 Nob Ave., Del Mar,

' Calif. 92014 [22] Filed: Sept. 28, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 76,155

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,422,486 1/1969 Thomas, Jr...l6/l48 2,504,635 4/1950 Bradley 16/1 37 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay

Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman Attorney-Warren H. F. Schmiedingand Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht [5 7] ABSTRACT One aspect ofthe invention comprises a composite hinge structure, including a pianotype hinge and a flexible sealing membrane on opposite sides of thehinge. Another aspect of the invention comprises two strips of flexiblesealing membranes. A plurality of leaf type hinges are spaced along andbetween the strips. The leaves of the hinges are fixed in sealingrelationship with the strips.

5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,540

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l n I I -41 I. p 1.! m FIG. /2

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ATTORNEY ENCASED HINGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention The invention is directed to leaf type hinges.

2. Description of the Prior Art As far as applicant is aware, the priorart does not disclose completely sealed hinges. The patent to Dodge U.S.Pat. No. 2,242,421 issued May 20, 194! discloses a rubber cover strip 25for one side of the hinge 1, but does not disclose how the other side ofthe hinge could be sealed from the environment. The patent to BradleyU.S. Pat. No. 2,504,635 issued Apr. 18, I950 discloses a movable platein sliding relationship on one side only of the hinge. The other side isnot sealed from the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Each of the opposite sides of the sections ofthe two leaves of the hinges is fixed to a flexible sealing membranewhich is looped over the arcuate sections of the leaves. The membraneshave portions extending longitudinally beyond the opposite ends of theleaves of the hinges. These portions are sealed to one another at theirrespective ends to encase the hinges or they may be sealed to the twoobjects that are hinged to one another. In another aspect of theinvention, a plurality of spaced leaf type hinges are sandwiched betweentwo flexible confronting strips of sealing membranes. The sections ofthe leaves of the hinges, which are attached to the objects that are tobe hinged to one another, are sealed to the strips of the sealingmembranes.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be moreapparent from the following description of the drawings, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of theinvention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of oneembodiment of the composite hinge structure showing a piano type hingeand showing the membranes above and below the hinge, part of the uppermembrane being removed to show the hinge;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing thehinge leaves in aligned position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, but showingthe hinge leaves disposed at an angle of 90 with respect to one another;

FIG. 4 is also a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, butshowing the leaves of the hinge in parallel and superimposed position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of two objects which are hinged to oneanother by one form of the present composite hinge structure;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the composite hingestructure showing aligned and spaced hinges which are covered withsealing membranes, part of the upper membranes being removed;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, showing theleaves of one of the hinges in aligned position;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7, but showingthe hinge leaves disposed at an angle of 90 with respect to one another;

FIG. 10 is also a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7, butshowing the hinge leaves in parallel and superimposed position;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of two objects which are hinged to oneanother by the form of hinge structure shown in FIGS. 7 and 8; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 7inclusive, the composite hinge construction 20 comprises a piano typehinge 22 which may be formed of any desired selected material, such assteel, plastic, nylon, etc. The hinge includes two leaves 24 and 26. Theleaf 24 includes a section 28 for attaching the same to an object and anintegral arcuately formed section 30. The other leaf 26 includes anintegral section 32 and an integral arcuately formed section 34. Thesections 30 and 34 are axially aligned for receiving a hinge pin in theform of a rod 36 which extends coextensively with the leaves 24 and 26.

The composite hinge structure 20 also includes two membranes 38 and 40.Membrane 38 is fixed to the upper surfaces of leaf sections 28 and 32and membrane 40 is fixed to the under surface of those leaf sections.Preferably a loop 42 is formed midway and longitudinally in the membrane38 and a portion 44 of membrane 40 is looped about the arcuate sections30 and 34 of the leaves. Looping requirements of 42 and 44 of membranes38 and 40, respectively, may be reduced if the membranes are of suitablyelastic character.

These membranes are formed of any desireable flexible and/or elasticmaterial which prevents ingress of liquids or gases into contact withthe hinge. As shown more clearly in FIG. 6, when necessary, the ends ofthe membranes 38 and 40 are sealed to one another or to the objectswhich are being hinged to one another. Thus these membranes completelyseal the hinge 22 from the surrounding environment.

When the composite hinge structure is formed for universal use i.e.,when one leaf can be moved substantially 360 with respect to oneanother, the loop portions 42 and 44 of the membranes should be ofsufficient length to permit such movement. Obviously, If the degree ofmovement of the leaves relative to one another is less than 360", thelengths of the loops 42 and 44 need not be as long as illustrated or ifmembranes of elastic nature are employed. FIG. 5 shows the compositehinge structure 20 applied to two objects 46 and 48. These structuresmay be fixed to those objects in any desired manner, as by epoxy, screwsor any type of bonding and/or fastener.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, inclusive, thecomposite hinge structure 50 comprises a plurality of leaf type hinges52. Each hinge includes leaves 54 and 56. Leaf 54 includes a flatsection 58 and an integral arcuately sloped section 60, and leaf 56includes like sections 62 and 64. The sections 60 and 64 are axiallyaligned for receiving a hinge pin 66.

The composite hinge structure includes two membranes 68 and 70. Theupper membrane 68 is fixed to the upper surfaces of leaf sections 58 and62 and the lower membrane is fixed to the upper surfaces of leafsections 58 and 64. The hinges 52 are spaced from one another. The uppermembrane 68 is provided with an outwardly bulged or looped portion 72and the lower membrane 70 includes a bulged or looped portion 74 whichis looped about the arcuately sloped sections 60 and 64 respectively, ofthe leaves 54 and 56.

The hinges 52 can be formed of any desirable material, such as steel,plastic, nylon etc. The membranes 68 and 70 are formed of any desirableflexible andlor elastic material which prevents ingress of liquids orgases into contact with the hinges. As shown in FIG. 12 when necessarythe ends of the membranes 68 and 70 are sealed to one another. Thusthese membranes completely seal the hinges 52 from the surroundingenvironment.

When the composite hinge structure is formed for universal use, i.e.,when one leaf can be moved substantially 360 with respect to another,the loop portions 72 and 74 of the membranes should be of sufficientlength to permit such movement. Obviously, if the degrees of movement ofthe leaves relative to one another is less than 360 the lengths of theloops 72 and 74 need not be as longas illustrated.

FIG. 11 shows the composite hinge structure 50 applied to two objects 76and 78. These structures may be fixed to those objects in any desiredmanner, as by epoxy, screws or any type of bonding and/or fastener.Since the membranes 68 and 70 are resilient, the composite hingestructure 50 is not limited to hinging objects having parallel endsurfaces i.e., those end surfaces may be curved or disposed at angleswhereby their uses are extending to all types of surfaces and planes.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that by virtue of the presentinvention l have provided composite hinge structures that, in additionto encasing the hinge from the surrounding environment, those hingestructures will withstand substantial pressure differentials of fluidsor liquids to which the hinge structure is subjected; they willwithstand static and dynamic loading without loss of structuralintegrity whereby their uses are not limited either by size or varioustypes of structural loading.

The loops 42, 44, 72 and 74 need not be as large as shown when thesealing material is elastic. Too, the sealing material can be of thetype which is sprayed onto the hinges.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A composite hinge structure comprising in combination:

A. a hinge leaf including:

1. a section for attaching the leaf to an object,

2. at least one arcuately formed section extending from the firstmentioned section;

B. a second hinge leaf including:

1. a section for attaching the second mentioned leaf to another object,

2. at least two arcuately formed sections extending from the firstmentioned section of the second mentioned leaf, said arcuately formedsections of the leaves being substantially axially aligned, thearcuately formed section of the first mentioned leaf being intermeshedwith thearcuately formed sections of the second mentioned leaf;

C. flexible sealing membrane means including:

1. a section fixed in sealing relationship with one side of each of thefirst mentioned sections of the leaves, said membrane section beinglooped over one side of the arcuate sections of the e leaves,

2. a second section fixed in sealing relationship with the oppositesides of each of the first mentioned sections of the leaves, said lattermembrane section being looped over the opposite side of the arcuatesection of the leaves.

2. A composite hinge structure as defined in claim 1, characterized inthat the first mentioned leaf includes at least tow arcuately formedsections all of the arcuately formed sections being alignedsubstantially axially.

3. A composite hinge structure as defined in claim 1, characterized inthat each of the sealing sections includes a portion extendinglongitudinally beyond one end of the leaves said portions being insealing relationship with one another, and further characterized in thateach of the sealing sections includes a portion extending longitudinallybeyond the op posite ends of thelaves, saidlatter portions being insealing relationship with one another.

4. A compoiste hinge structure comprising in combination A. two parallelstrips of flexible sealing membrane;

B. a set of hinge leaves, each of said leaves including:

1. a section fixed in sealing relationship with a side of one of thestrips of sealing membranes,

2. an arcuately formed section;

C. a second set of hinge leaves, each of the latter leaves including:

1. a section fixed in sealing relationship with that side of the otherstrip of sealing membranes which confronts the saiside of the firstmentioned strip,

2. an arcuately formed section, said arcuately formed sections of thefirst and second mentioned strips being aligned substantially axially.

5. A composite hinge structure as defined in claim 4, characterized inthat the first mentioned section of the first mentioned set of hingeleaves are in confronting relationship with the first mentioned sectionsof the second mentioned set of hinge leaves.

UNITED STATES PATENT omucn QERHFICATE OF 'QORREQ'HUN Patent No. 3, 651,540 Dated March 28, 1972 Inventor(s) Sudhir N, Rana It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 53, cancel upper" and substitute "under";

Column 3, line 33, cancel 'thearcuately and substitute --the arcuately-Column 4, line 1, cancel "the e leaves" and substitute ---the leaves-;

Column line 17, cancel 'thelaves, saidlatter" and substitute -theleaves, said latter-;

Column line 19, cancel "compoiste" and substitute --composite-;

Column 4, line 29, cancel "saiside" and substitute --said side-.

\ Si d and sealed this 12th day of September 1972 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM PC4050 uscoMM-oc 60376-P69 US. GOVERNMENT PRINTINGOFFICE! 969 0-366-381

1. A composite hinge structure comprising in combination: A. a hingeleaf including:
 1. a section for attaching the leaf to an object,
 2. atleast one arcuately formed section extending from the first mentionedsection; B. a second hinge leaf including:
 1. a section for attachingthe second mentioned leaf to another object,
 2. at least two arcuatelyformed sections extending from the first mentioned section of the secondmentioned leaf, said arcuately formed sections of the leaves beingsubstantially axially aligned, the arcuately formed section of the firstmentioned leaf being intermeshed with the arcuately formed sections ofthe second mentioned leaf; C. flexible sealing membrane meansincluding:
 1. a section fixed in sealing relationship with one side ofeach of the first mentioned sections of the leaves, said membranesection being looped over one side of the arcuate sections of theleaves,
 2. a second section fixed in sealing relationship with theopposite sides of each of the first mentioned sections of the leaves,said latter membrane section being looped over the opposite side of thearcuate section of the leaves.
 2. at least one arcuately formed sectionextending from the first mentioned section; B. a second hinge leafincluding:
 2. at least two arcuately formed sections extending from thefirst mentioned section of the second mentioned leaf, said arcuatelyformed sections of the leaves being substantially axially aligned, thearcuately formed section of the first mentioned leaf being intermeshedwith the arcuately formed sections of the second mentioned leaf; C.flexible sealing membrane means including:
 2. a second section fixed insealing relationship with the opposite sides of each of the firstmentioned sections of the leaves, said latter membrane section beinglooped over the opposite side of the arcuate section of the leaves.
 2. Acomposite hinge structure as defined in claim 1, characterized in thatthe first mentioned leaf includes at least two arcuately formedsections, all of the arcuately formed sections being alignedsubstantially axially.
 2. an arcuately formed section; C. a second setof hinge leaves, each of the latter leaves including:
 2. an arcuatelyformed section, said arcuately formed sections of the first and secondmentioned strips being aligned substantially axially.
 3. A compositehinge structure as defined in claim 1, characterized in that each of thesealing sections includes a portion extending longitudinally beyond oneend of the leaves said portions being in sealing relationship with oneanother, and further characterized in that each of the sealing sectionsincludes a portion extending longitudinally beyond the opposite ends ofthe leaves, said latter portions being in sealing relationship with oneanother.
 4. A composite hinge structure comprising in combination: A.two parallel strips of flexible sealing membrane; B. a set of hingeleaves, each of said leaves including:
 5. A composite hinge structure asdefined in claim 4, characterized in that the first mentioned section ofthe first mentioned set of hinge leaves are in confronting relationshipwith the first mentioned sections of the second mentioned set of hingeleaves.